THE RECORD OF ENERGY AND CHEMICAL-TRANSPORT AND THE FOUNDATION OF MINERAL-RESOURCES

Direct observation of processes on modern Earth have shown that the co oling processes lead to geochemical mixing influencing all the geosphe res and the continental crust. The chemistry and mineralogy of Earth m aterials carry the record of the major energy and chemical transport s ystems. The new techniques of surface analysis often show the nature o f fluid-gas phases. In the past two decades the importance of water co oling and hydrosphere interactions with the outer 10 km or so of the c rust have explained as host of chemical and isotopic features. Today, new attention is being focused on the role of the biomass in Earth che mistry and the scale of the processes. Almost all of our most basic re sources, metals, fossil fuels, fertile soils, involved the interaction s of atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, with the outer shells of Eart h. New needs in waste management technologies involve use of the same knowledge. While there can be no doubt that the ancient Earth was more energetic, there is still no general agreement on the main styles of convection, perhaps reflecting more chaotic tectonmics. In the next de cades there will be vast need for mineral resources and new technologi es must be developed to protect the precious land and water resources.